Gilford Middle School's principal set to retire

GILFORD — Marcia Ross is glad she went into education 40 years ago. But now it’s time for something completely different.

Ross, the principal at Gilford Middle School, has announced her retirement after 40 years as a school administrator and teacher in Gilford, Durham, Wolfeboro and Barnstead. Her contract is up at the end of this year.

After engaging students for decades about the need for structure in life, she’s opting for a simpler life in retirement.

“I’m looking forward to the more unstructured times now,” Ross said with a laugh. “I also want to go out while I’m still relevant.”

Ross said she grew up thinking about this career.

“I wanted to be a teacher from the time I was child,” she said. “Now, I believe I made the right choice.”

She is a 1973 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, where she received a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in political science. She went on to receive a master’s in education degree from UNH.

She came to Gilford from Oyster River High School in Durham, where she was assistant principal for 13 years. She also spent seven years teaching in the former Gilford Middle-High School and was a social studies teacher at Barnstead Elementary School. Her first teaching post was at Kingswood Middle School, where she taught social studies.

In Gilford, she is credited by school officials with helping to improve the school’s curriculum and technology.

“I feel really glad and privileged that I was able to finish up my career in Gilford. I work with really great people here; it’s a great school and it’s exciting work. It was great having the support of so many people,” she said.